Electric switch



' Oct.-27,'1936. Y W R, HUTT|NGER 2,059,109

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Oct. 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l japan/01M# Oct. 427, 1936. w. R. HUTTINGER ELECTRIC SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 23, 1935 Patented Oct. 27, 1936 'UNITED STATES yTET OFFICE This invention relates to electric switches and more particularly to a novelty constructed disconnecting switch which is adapted to better fulll the requirements of this class of switches than prior devices of the same class. The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved switch mechanism which is simple in construction, economic to manufacture, and efficient in operation under various weather conditions to which such switches are often subjected by reason of their being mounted outdoors in many instances.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved switch mechanism which is adapted to effect rectilinear and pivotal movement of a switch member and which functions to lock the said member positively in opened or closed position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a switch of this character wherein the actuating mechanism is fully protected from the effects of the weather such as accumulations of ice or snow.

A clear and complete understanding of the invention may be had from the accompanying drawings wherein there is illustrated a speciiic embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a switch constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the switch;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational View of the switch;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View illustrating the actuating mechanism of the switch;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a detailed view of a lever forming a part of the actuating mechanism.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, there is provided the usual support I upon which the switch is mounted and, in the present instance, the switch, as a whole, comprises spaced stationary insulator stacks 2 and 3 mounted upon the support I and a rotatable insulator stack a positioned between the stationary insulators 2 and 3 adjacent the insulator 2. The switch proper described hereinafter is actuated by rotation of the insulator stack 4, as well understood in the art, and, to this end, there is provided an actuating arm 5 by means of which the insulator 4 may be rotated by any suitable mechanism.

The stationary insulator 3 carries a stationary switch Contact t which is adapted to receive the end portion of the movable switch arm or blade l. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a casing or housing 8 supported by the bracket 9 which is preferably formed integral with the said casing or housing. The bracket 9 is secured to and supported by the stationary insulator 2. It will be seen that the casing or housing 8 is disposed directly over the rotatable insulator l for actuation of the mechanism within the casing, as will be described in detail hereinafter. A shaft III (see Fig. 4) extends transversely through the casing 8 and is journaled in opposite walls thereof, the ends of this shaft extending exteriorly of the casing and carrying crank arms II which are pivotally connected to the switch arm or blade 'I at I2. Another shaft i3 (see Figs. 4 and 5) extends similarly through the casing 8 parallel to shaft IIl and likewise carries crank arms I4 exteriorly of the casing. Links I5 connect the crank arms I4 to the switch arm or blade l, as clearly illustrated. It will be seen that the crank arms I4 and links I5 constitute toggle connections between the shaft I3 and the switch blade l.

The switch blade is shaped as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and may be composed of two sections, one of which is bifurcated and eX- tends on opposite sides of the casing 8, thus giving a symmetrical and balanced structure. At the bifurcated end of the switch arm or blade, there are provided counterbalancing weights I6. The design of the device is preferably such that the counterbalanoed switch arm or blade, when in the full-line position shown in`Fig. 1, is substantially in equilibrium about the pivotal mounting point I2.

Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, a shaft Il is secured' to and extends upwardly from the rotatable insulator stack 4 into the casing 8, there being provided suitable bearings I8 for the said shaft. The shaft Il carries at its end a beveled gear I9 which meshes with a beveled gear 20 carried by the transverse shaft I3. Thus, the shaft I3 is actuated by shaft Il and serves as an operating shaft for the mechanism now to be described;

Within the casing 8, the transverse shaft III carries Va crank arm 2| which is'connected by link 22 to the free end of a lever arm 23, the other end of which is pivotally mounted within the casing at 24. Lever 23 carries a cam follower in the form of a roller 25 (see Fig. 6) which rides in the slot 26 of cam 21 carried by the shaft I3. Thus, the cam 2l serves to actuate the linkage comprising members 2l, 22, and 23, thus actuating the shaft ID. It will be noted that the slot 26 of the cam comprises an inner arcuate section 28, an outer arcuate section 29, and a section 3E] connecting the said arcuate sections.

Considering the operation of the device, let it be assumed that the switch is in closed condition, as illustrated in the full-line representation of Fig 1, the mechanism within the housing 8 will then be in the position illustrated in the full-line representation of Fig. 4. It will be seen that the cam follower 25 is at such time seated in the inner arcuate section 28 of the cam slot. This serves to lock the linkage 2|, 22, 23 in the full-line position of Fig. 4 and the switch is thus locked in closed position. It will be noted also from Fig. 1 that the toggles I4, I5 are substantially in dead center position with respect to the shaft I3 and this serves to further lock the switch in closed position. 'I'he importance of this becomes apparent when it is borne in mind that accumulations of ice or snow might tend to rotate the switch arm l about its pivotal mounting point I2. It will be seen then that the switch is locked in its closed position in a positive manner.

In order to open the switch, the rotatable insulator 4 and the shaft I'I carried thereby are actuated in a manner to cause rotation of shaft I3 and cam 2'I counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 4, or clockwise as viewed in Fig. 1. During initial movement of the cam, the cam follower 25 rides in the slot section 28 and causes no actuation of the linkage 2I, 22, 23 as will be apparent. The initial movement of shaft I3 causes the toggles I4, I5 to move about the dead center position but has no effect upon the switch blade 1. Further rotation of the cam, however, causes the cam follower 25 to ride in the section 30 of the cam slot, thus causing the lever 23 to move pivotally toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, to the broken-line position. The shaft I0 is thus rotated and, through the medium of the crank arms I I, causes the switch arm 'I to move substantially in a rectilinear manner toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 1. The toggles Id, I5 permit the initial rectilinear movement of the switch arm 'I and have substantially no effect at that time upon the switch arm. Thus, the contact-making end of the switch arm is moved free of the stationary contact 6.

When the cam follower 25 enters the outer arcuate section 29 of the cam slot, the movement of linkage ZI, 22, 23 ceases as does also the rotation of shaft I Il. In Fig. 4, the broken-line representation shows cam follower 25 just after entering the slot section 29. Further rotation of shaft I3, causes pivotal movement of the switch arm 1 about the pivot point I2 through the medium of toggles I4, I5. At this time, the cam follower 25 is riding in the arcuate cam slot section 29 and causes no actuation of the shaft I Il. By virtue of the counterbalanced arrangement of the switch arm, the same may be readily moved by the toggles III, I5. The switch arm ultimately reaches the full opened position shown in broken-line representation of Fig. l and, at such time, the toggle mechanism I 4, I5 is disposed as illustrated. In this open position of the switch, the cam follower 25 is seated in the cam slot section 29 and this serves to lock the linkage 2l, 22, 23 in the broken-line position of Fig. 4, thus locking the switch in its opened position in a positive manner. The weights I6 also maintain the switch in opened position.

The operation of the switch in moving from open to closed position is just the reverse of that above described. In such case, the initial rotation of shaft I3 causes pivotal movement of the switch arm 'I about the pivot point I2 through the toggle mechanism I4, I5. Thereafter, the cam slot section 30 effects rectilinear movement of the switch arm to bring the contact-making end of the said arm into cooperative engagement with the stationary contact 6, as will be apparent from the above description.

It will be seen that the switch mechanism provided by the invention comprises desirable features which greatly enhance it from the standpoints of operation and maintenance. By virtue of the counterbalanced arrangement of the switch arm, the actuation thereof is readily effected, particularly in the switch-opening operation, since it is only necessary to exert suflicient force to disturb the equilibrium or balanced condition of the switch arm. Other important features are the locking of the switch in both its closed and opened positions, as above described, and the protection of the actuating mechanism within the housing 8 from the effects of the weather. It will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited to the specific form illustrated and herein described but is capable of various modifications and changes within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

.1. In an electric switch, an operating shaft, a second shaft parallel thereto, a driving linkage connected to said second shaft, a cam carried by said operating shaft adapted to actuate said linkage during a portion only of the rotary movement of said operating shaft, and a switch member carried by said second shaft.

2. In an electric switch, an operating shaft, a second shaft parallel thereto, a crank arm on said second shaft, a lever arm pivotally mounted at one of its ends, a link connecting the free ends of said crank arm and said lever arm, a cam follower carried by said lever arm, a cam carried by said operating shaft adapted to actuate said follower, and a switch member carried by said second shaft.

3. In an electric switch, an operating shaft, a second shaft parallel thereto, a driving linkage connected to said second shaft, means carried by said operating shaft for actuating said linkage and locking it in actuated position, a crank arm on said second shaft, a switch member pivotally attached to the end of said crank arm, a crank arm on said operating shaft, and a link connecting said last-mentioned crank arm and said switch member.

4. In an electric switch, an operating shaft, a second shaft parallel thereto, a driving linkage connected to said second shaft, a cam carried by said operating shaft adapted to actuate said linkage, a crank arm on said second shaft, a switch member pivotally attached to the end of said crank arm, a crank arm on said operating shaft, and a link connecting said last-mentioned crank arm and said switch member.

5. In an electric switch, a stationary casing or housing, a rotatable shaft extending into said casing, a transverse shaft extending through said casing and journaled in opposed walls thereof, means for transmitting the rotary motion of said first shaft to said second shaft, a third shaft parallel to said second shaft extending through said casing and journaled in the said walls, an operating connection between said second shaft and said third shaft including means for locking said third shaft in actuated position, and a switch member carried by said third shaft.

f5.4 In an electric switch, a stationary casing or housing, a rotatable shaft extending into said casing, a transverse shaft extending through said casing and journaled in opposed walls thereof, means for transmitting the rotary motion of said rst shaft to said second shaft, a third shaft extending through said casing and journaled in the said walls, a driving linkage connected to said third shaft, a cam carried by said second shaft adapted to actuate said linkage, and a switch member carried by said third shaft outside said casing.

'7. In an electric switch, a stationary casing or housing, a rotatable shaft extending into said casing, a transverse shaft extending through said casing and journaled in opposed walls thereof, means for transmitting the rotary motion of said first shaft to said second shaft, a third shaft parallel to said second shaft extending through said casing and journaled in the said walls, an operating connection within said casing between said second shaft and said third shaft, including means for locking said third shaft in actuated position, a crank arm on said third shaft outside said casing, a switch member pivotally attached to the end of said crank arm, a crank arm on said second shaft outside said casing, and a link connecting said last-mentioned crank arm and said switch member.

8. In an electric switch, a stationary casing or housing, a rotatable shaft extending into said casing, a transverse shaft extending through said casing and journaled in opposed walls thereof, means for transmitting the rotary motion of said rst shaft to said second shaft, a third shaft parallel to said second shaft extending through said casing and journaled in the said walls, a driving linkage connected to said third shaft, means carried by said second shaft for actuating said linkage and locking it in actuated position, a crank arm on said third shaft outside said casing, a switch member pivotally attached to the end of said crank arm, a crank arm on said second shaft outside said casing, and a link connecting said last-mentioned crank arm and said switch member.

9. In an electric switch, an operating shaft, a second shaft parallel thereto, an operating connection between said shafts adapted to effect rotary movement of said second shaft during a portion only of the rotary movement of said operating shaft, a crank arm on said second shaft, a counterbalanced switch member pivotally carried by said crank arm so as to be moved substantially rectilinearly during rotation of said second shaft, and a toggle connection between said operating shaft and said switch member for effecting pivotal movement of said switch member on said crank arm while said second shaft remains stationary.

10. In an electric switch, a stationary insulator, a switch contact carried thereby, a second stationary insulator, a rotatable insulator/intermediate the said stationary insulators, a casing or housing carried by said second stationary insulator and disposed adjacent said rotatable insulator, a shaft carried by said rotatable insulator and extending into said casing, a transverse shaft extending through said casing and journaled in opposed walls thereof, means for transmitting the rotary movement of said first shaft to said second shaft, a third shaft parallel to said second shaft extending through said casing and journaled in the said walls, an operating connection within said casing between said second shaft and said third shaft, and a switch member carried by said third shaft and adapted to engage said switch contact.

11. In an electric switch, a stationary insulator, a switch contact carried thereby, a second stationary insulator, a rotatable. insulator intermediate the said stationary insulators, a Casing or housing carried by said second stationary insulator and disposed adjacent said rotatable insulator, a shaft carried by said rotatable insulator and extending into said casing, a transverse shaft extending through said casing and journaled in opposed walls thereof, means for transmitting the rotary movement of said first shaft to said second shaft, a third shaft parallel to said second shaft extending through said casing and journaled in the said walls, an operating connection within said casing between said second shaft and said third shaft, a crank arm on said third shaft outside said casing, a counterbalanced switch member pivotally carried by said crank arm and adapted to engage said switch contact, and a toggle connection between said second shaft and said switch member.

l2. In an electric switch, an operating shaft, a second shaft, means operable by said operat ing shaft for rotating said second shaft during a poition only of the rotary movement of said operating shaft, a switch member pivotally mounted in cooperative association with said second shaft so as to move rectilinearly during rotation of said second shaft, and means operable by said operating shaft for moving said member pivotally while said second shaft remains stationary.

13. In an electric switch, an operating shaft, a second shaft, means operable by said operating shaft for rotating said second shaft during a portion only of the rotary movement of said 0perating shaft, a switch member pivotally mounted in Cooperative association with said second shaft so as to move` rectilinearly during rotation of said second shaft, and means operable by said operating shaft for moving said member pivotally while said second shaft remains stationary, said last means comprising a crank arm on said operating shaft and a link connecting said crank arm to said switch member, said crank arm and said link being substantially in dead-center position with respect to said operating shaft when the switch is in closed condition.

14. In an electric switch, an operating shaft, a second shaft, a driving linkage connected to said second shaft, a cam on said operating shaft adapted to actuate said linkage to rotate said second shaft during a portion only of the rotary movement of said operating shaft and to maintain said linkage in fixed position to prevent rotation of said second shaft during the remainder of the rotary movement of said operating shaft, a switch member pivotally mounted in cooperative association with said second shaft so as to move rectilinearly during rotation of said second shaft, and means operable by said operating shaft for moving said member pivotally while said second shaft remains stationary, said last means comprising a crank arm on said operating shaft and a link connecting said crank arm to said switch member, said crank arm and said link being substantially in dead-center position with respect to said operating shaft when the switch is in closed condition.

l5. In an electric switch an operating shaft, a second shaft, a driving linkage connected to said second shaft, a cam on said operating shaft adapted to actuate said linkage, said cam having an inner eccentric cam portion for actuating said linkage to rotate said second shaft during a portion only of the rotary movement of said operating shaft and outer concentric portions for maintaining said linkage in fixed position to prevent rotation of said second shaft during the remainder of the rotary movement of said operating shaft, a switch member pivotally mounted in c0- operative association with said second shaft so as to move rectilinearly during rotation of said second shaft, and means operable by said operating shaft for moving said member pivotally while said second shaft remains stationary, said last means comprising a crank arm on said operating shaft and a link connecting said crank arm to said switch member, said crank arm and said link being substantially in dead-center position with respect to said operating shaft when the switch is in closed condition.

WILLIAM R. HUTTINGER. 

